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- a Voortrekker hero during the Great Trek
- Jacobus and Jan Moolman supported Piet Uys as the trio burst through a reed-choked stream and narrowly evaded the Zulus concealed there. The two youngsters, Jan deJager, 20, and Dirkie Uys, 15, lagged behind the others. As their horses jumped into the spruit the Zulus rose on all sides. Jan's horse bounded out but Dirkie's horse, which had landed with its legs splayed, slipped in trying to mount the bank. A Zulu grabbed Dirkie's arm and the last Jan saw of the brave Dirkie was as the shouting Zulus closed in on the boy.
It is ironical that Dirkie's death should have been caused by his horse. The Uys family were mad about horses and generally had fine mounts. Piet's brothers had often said that Dirkie had a rotten horse. If the boy's horse had been more agile he would probably have escaped with De Jager.
It is unlikely that in his condition Piet was aware of Dirkie's fate for, when De Jager caught up to him, the dying leader failed to enquire after his son. Piet had lost a great deal of blood, and knew that he could not last any longer. Turning to the men with him he said, "Leave me, I am finished. Keep God before your eyes and fight for your land, and look after my wife and children." He then fainted again and fell to the ground. Jacobus Moolman sprang from his horse and attempted to revive Piet, but realised that it was in vain. The Zulus were almost upon him so he mounted his horse and fled with the others.
This version of Piet and Dirkie's death was recorded and handed down in both the Uys and Nel families. A different story, however, was told by others (inter alia: J.N. Boshof, Fouche, Hattingh, Burger, Steenkamp and Philip Nel), most of whom had not been present at the Battle: According to them Dirkie was riding ahead with Hans Breytenbach and Gert de Jager when he heard his father instructing Jan Meyer to leave him where he had fallen.
Dirkie, who was already out of danger, reined in his horse. Meyer then passed him and shouted, "Come Dirk, let us flee!" Dirkie saw the enemy closing around his dying father, and saw Piet raise his head to have a last sight of his friends and son. This was too much for the feelings of the anguished boy, for he shouted, "I will die with my father". He turned his horse and charged down on the Zulus, shooting three and briefly forcing them to retire. The Zulus then rushed upon Dirk, speared him on his horse, and carried him off on the point of their assegais. He fell beside his father, and the Zulus stabbed them both to death.
The event where Dirkie Uys defends his father with his own life is depicted on a panel at the Voortrekker Monument. [1]
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1823 - 1838 (15 years)